President Obama to appear on Discovery's 'MythBusters'

President Barack Obama records an episode of the Discovery Channel's television show "MythBusters" with co-hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage in the Library of the White House. (The White House/Chuck Kennedy)

[This blog post has been updated.]

A few days after showing up on MTV, VH1 and BET for a town hall discussion, President Obama has announced he's headed to Discovery Channel -- he will appear on an episode of "MythBusters," a reality series that sends adventure-seekers to discover the scientific truth behind famous urban legends.

Obama shared this news at Monday's White House Science Fair, introducing "MythBusters" hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, who were in attendance. "I can announce today that I taped a special guest appearance for their show, although I didn't get blow anything up...I was a little frustrated about that," Obama said.

Airing on Dec. 8, Obama's episode will focus on whether Greek scientist Archimedes was truly able to set fire to a Roman fleet using only rays of sun that reflected off a mirror, according to Discovery.

Of course, reports have noted that this particular myth has already been tested by the show -- twice, in episodes in 2004 and 2006. So we asked Discovery -- why a third time?

"Regarding the Archimedes myth, fans are constantly asking the MythBusters to re-test it under different circumstances," a Discovery rep said in an e-mail. "Archimedes Solar Ray was ultimately chosen by the White House because it provided the greatest opportunity to get students involved in STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] in the most real way possible. We enlisted the help of 500 middle- and high school-aged students from Alameda, California, to help with the testing."

According to a White House press release, Obama's appearance on the show will showcase "his personal commitment to inspire young people to excel in math and science."

"Airing on Dec. 8, Obama's episode will focus on whether Greek scientist Archimedes was truly able to set fire to a Roman fleet using only rays of sun that reflected off a mirror, according to Discovery."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmm, that one is a good myth. How about the myth that 1.3 trillion dollars in political give-a-ways will save our economy while Congress continues to spend money that won't get printed for another 60 years? Now that ought to be a good one that MythBusters can schedule for the fall season, say around November 2nd.

Given that it is nearly impossible to deny
that Obama was a Muslim at some point
in his life, and that it is the religious duty
of every Muslim to kill apostates (on the
spot)... is he, because of his position as
President of the United States, relegated
to/conferred a special position (an exception
from the clear Islamic duty that he must be
murdered on sight by every pious Muslim),
a special position where he is exempted
from this automatic death sentence? And,
of course, who issued this fatwa of exception?

On the other hand, if Obama is still a Muslim
(albeit a stealth Muslim, in order to do non-
Muslims some mischief, say), what prevents
any pious Muslim who's not "in" on this
"scheme" from carrying out his religious duty
and butchering Obama, if he gets the chance
to do so? It seems to me that either way, were
I Obama, I'd stay as far away from ordinary
Muslims as possible.

They're doing that experiment (focusing sunlight) in Las Vegas. Someone designed a parabolic hotel with mirrored windows, and there are reports of singed hair and melted sunglasses in the deck area around the pool.

Myths to Bust:
1. You can spend you way out of Debt.
2. Communism works better than Capitalism.
3. Obamacare will cover everyone, cost less and reduce the deficit.
4. Global warming is a danger caused by humans.
5. Pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan prematurely makes for good DOD strategy.
6. Obama is a Christian.
7. Obama is a Muslim.
8. Obama was born in America.
9. Having open borders is a good Idea.
10. The Trillion dollar deficit Obama racked up in just two years is more than the last ten Presidents spent combined and is the new world record.
11. Obama will miss Rahm more than he would miss his wife.
12. Rahm is leaving before the ship sinks, like the rat that he is.
13. Letting Iran get Nukes ain’t such a bad Idea.
14. Getting in hock to China is a good Idea.

They already did the Archimedes' mirror myth on at least two episodes. Somebody on the show must like burning wooden ships.

Posted by: greggwiggins | October 18, 2010 8:59 AM
***

They like blowing things up too! (as many times and the bigger the better!) We think it's like watching that nerdy kid that grew up down the street from us, and say "gosh, look what a cool job he has now!"

(I can't respond to these other people that just see every event as a chance to stick a political fork into it.)

Will Obama produce the Holy Grail long form birth certificate that the State of Hawaii has been holding to confirm his birth at a hospital in Hawaii? Will the Democratic National Committee admit that they failed to fully vet Obama and punted by allowing Obama to produce a photograph of a Certification of Life Birth to Moveon and then let the liberal press attack anyone that questioned it?

Anyone who is a fan of the show knows that they revisit myths all of the time; usually because the nerds in the basement of the science building challenge the materials, or procedures, or outcome. Some of them will never be satisfied, but seeing a myth recycled is very common. Besides, it might give them the chance to blow something up. We fans like to see that, too.

some of you are so hateful and bitter that I almost feel sorry for you. Almost..continue to stew in your venom.

And if you don't think that the Republicans would've been all over it if President Obama really wasn't eligible to run because of his place of birth. You must think that Rove, McCain, Palin and the rest are beyond stupid to let something like that go. Unless they did check and found that he is a citizen so they went with the Bill Ayres and Rev Wright angles instead.

Whew, tough crowd. Really, people: What's the big deal with the President going on Mythbusters to promote math and science education? It's a fun show, one of the few consistently enjoyable shows on cable that's really "reality based" and so why is anyone really griping about this harmless appearance?

Gee, how nice to have an intelligent President who can discuss any issue pragmatically without looking like a fool. After eight years of having someone incapable of putting together two consecutive sensible sentences it is refreshing to have a sharp mind in the White House. I am always impressed at how smart Obama is on so many subjects. Whether or not you like his policies, you cannot dispute his deep intelligence and ability to apply his education.

Take "Obamacare". Obama did. He took it directly from a REPUBLICAN proposal in the early 90s that was offered as a response to "HillaryCare". Somehow this little fact has gotten lost - in part because Fox "News" is in the tank for Republicans, but also because the rest of the corporate media has so many advertisers in the health insurance industry, so they were pretty much forced to echo the far right's propaganda on it to stay in business.

Likewise on taxes. Obama wants to slightly raise them on the very rich (from 35 to 39.6%). That would put them at a level FAR BELOW what they were under Eisenhower (90%), Nixon (70%) and Reagan (50%). So if Obama is a socialist for his tax policies, I guess those three conservative icons were doctrinaire Marxists.

But, Why is The Anti-Christ Obama Destroying America. If you truly want to know what is going on; Then you will have to accept these things as the TRUTH. Once you understand the following things; All things will be understood. So I tell you Obama is Satan on Earth, Lawless One, or what ever else you want to call this Demonic Figure. His words describe him, He is a False Hope, If you listen to him you will love him. He carries a Bow without an Arrow. He will conquer all through his speech, his false hoods will capture all who sit and listen to him.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

I think it is truly unfortunate that in a time of two wars and a terrible economy that the President said in part "...I didn't get blow anything up...I was a little frustrated about that," Obama said." Dear President Obama you have blown up our economy and our deficit. When our troops are getting blown up by bombs I wish you had chosen your words better and had spent your time more productively. Work on finding Jobs for Americans and reducing the deficit. thank you for the chance to comment on this article

Unemployment hovering around 9.5%, deficit over a trillion dollars, poll numbers in the toilet, off on a three week campaign trip - yeah, nothing important on his plate, Obamanator definitely has time for "Mythbusters". This guy is a joke.

Just read your post jackson241, yes I can dispute his intelligence and his education. At least Bush was man enough to release his college transcripts. Why do you think it is both Obamanator and Michelle have sealed theirs? What do they have to hide or cover-up? If he is so smart, why the constant use of a teleprompter, even with a class of fifth-graders? Even Walter Mondale has said Obamanator needs to lose the "idiot boards", and this is a guy you're proud of? As the saying goes, liberalism is a mental disease and you are a perfect example.

Some Obama "myths"
Obama assured he would protect Medicare against cuts; but there will be savage cuts.
Obama assured us that 90% of the jobs created would be in the private sector.
Obama assured us he never favored a single payer system; but he is on record as having said exactly that.
Obama assured he would abide by campaign finance limits of public funding, but then he reneged.
Obama criticized lobbyists in the Bush admin. but appointed even more lobbyists.
Obama promised to stop deficit spending but he has already quadrupled the size of the deficit he objected to and recklessly continues new federal spending in the trillions.
Obama criticized bills before the congress that were too long for anyone to be able to read and promised 5 days on-line, CSPAN coverage of debates, and unprecedented 'transparency' - Fail
Obama promised an end to earmarks and pork, but we got more and bigger earmarks than ever before.
Obama promised no increase in taxes under $200,000 but Obamacare breaks that pledge in many different ways, and his unrestrained increase in federal spending makes more tax increases inevitable (and devaluation of the dollar, aka 'taxation w/out legislation').
Obama promised bipartisanship but Republicans were shut out of all key meetings on his health care initiative and other important bills
Obama promised that he would not sign a healthcare bill that would add one dime to the federal deficit; but Obamacare adds trillions in new federal spending.

I think it's great President Obama is appearing on Myth Busters. After reading a few of these comments, I realize there are a lot of people with false information; like the one who asserts our President is the one solely responsible for accumulating all our debt. Former President Bush had a lot to do with our present financial problems. And like most people in today's America, we want it NOW. We live in a world of remote controls and fast-food; we unrealistically expect to turn this ship on a dime. For some of you who made remarks above about Obama's religious beliefs, his citizenship, et cetera, (the ones with low intelligence quotients), I don't literally mean "ship"; it's a form of speech. Get it?

I now have an idea of why most of you chose user identifications only you recognize, rather than your names. If I thought some of the nonsense I've been reading, I would, too.
A large portion of Americans don't realize we have a President who truly believes we can still live in an authentic democracy; one unadulterated by corporate money and people who allowed, and still allow, greed to get the best of their souls.
You know, the ones who tell others about the virtues of living a God led life. Please don't misunderstand me. I believe God hears our prayers. I believe He leads those who sincerely ask Him for direction, strength, and courage to do His will. I believe we can commune with Our Creator. Yet, I wonder why the ones who appear to be doing just that, do not spend much of their time telling others to do the same.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.